Where is Canterbury Shaker Village located?

It is located in Canterbury, New Hampshire, about a 20-minute drive from Concord.

How long is the presentation?

The event lasts approximately one hour.

Is the performance suitable for children?

Yes, the presentation and music are family-friendly and accessible to all ages.

Are tickets required for the event?

Yes, booking in advance is recommended as space is limited.

Is the presentation indoors?

Yes, the talk and performance are held indoors at the village meeting space.

Can visitors tour the village after the event?

Yes, the village grounds and museum are open for self-guided exploration after the event.

Exploring Shaker Heritage Through Music at Canterbury Village, New Hampshire | History Tour | Events

Nestled in the quiet town of Canterbury, New Hampshire, "My Shaker Home: An Afternoon with Roger Hall and the Canterbury Singers" offers a unique cultural adventure that combines American history, musicology, and live performance. This experience invites visitors to immerse themselves in the final known song created at the historic Canterbury Shaker Village: "My Shaker Home." Founded in 1792, Canterbury Shaker Village is one of the last remaining Shaker communities, famously known for its simple living, architecture, and rich musical tradition rooted in expressive spiritual melodies. The highlight of this event is a thoughtful presentation by Roger Lee Hall, a distinguished musicologist and ASCAP composer whose 50-year career spans preservation of American classical and folk music. Hall’s personal recollections bring to life his encounters in 1972 with Sister Bertha Lillian Phelps and Eldress Bertha Lindsay, both pivotal figures in nurturing and documenting Shaker song. Sister Lillian was the composer and pianist behind this poignant piece, blending spiritual depth with musical craftsmanship. Accompanying Hall’s narratives is a live performance by the Canterbury Singers, whose harmonies revive Shaker hymns with reverence and clarity. Their voices echo the simplicity and spirituality that defined the Shaker community’s artistic expression, creating an intimate atmosphere within the village setting. Attending this event is not merely a listening experience but an immersion into a cultural heritage that shaped New England’s religious and artistic landscape. Visitors will appreciate how this event stands out in the local outdoor recreation scene—not through physical adventure but cultural exploration, enriching the understanding of this historic village’s identity and its influence. Canterbury itself offers peaceful rural charm, making it an excellent base for travelers interested in combining outdoor activities with historical and musical enrichment. Beyond the event, the surrounding rolling hills and preserved Shaker buildings offer additional opportunities for exploration, including walking tours and museum visits that explain the Shakers' innovative approach to community and craft. This offering is a rare chance to connect directly with an enduring musical tradition within one of New Hampshire’s most culturally significant locations. For travelers staying in nearby Concord, a short drive leads you into this profound experience where history, music, and community intersect. Whether you are a history buff, music lover, or cultural traveler, "My Shaker Home" affirms Canterbury Shaker Village as a distinctive destination that honors its past through performance and storytelling, making it a must-see event for those curious about early American heritage and music.

Difficulty

easy.

Duration

1 hour.

Fitness level

No special fitness level required; suitable for all ages

Wildlife

Eastern chipmunk
Barred owl

History

Canterbury Shaker Village was established in 1792 and is one of the oldest and most complete Shaker communities preserved in the United States.

Conservation

The village maintains sustainability efforts by preserving historical buildings with eco-friendly materials and limiting visitor impact through controlled access.

Canterbury Shaker Village is a historic Shaker community and living history museum located in Canterbury, New Hampshire. The Village offers guided tours, special exhibitions, community readings, concerts, hands-on workshops, and seasonal events that interpret Shaker life, craft, and communal practices. Educational programs highlight primary sources and personal narratives, including special tours inspired by Nicolas Briggs’s memoir Forty Years a Shaker and guided walks led by the Village’s education staff such as Director of Education Kyle Sandler. Visitors can attend readings in the 1792 Meeting House, music on the green, antique and vintage car shows set among fall foliage, and exhibition openings that honor the Shakers’ legacy. Workshops and demonstrations teach traditional Shaker skills; examples include a cherry oval box workshop led by instructor Dick Bennett and farm-to-table dinners paired with historic tours at community gatherings like Simply Shaker. Members and preview events bring curators and historians together to contextualize artifacts, as seen in the Keeping Faith exhibition talks with curators Renée Fox, Kyle Sandler, and Shirley Wajda. Canterbury Shaker Village maintains credibility through documented artifacts, named curators and educators, and a range of public programs that connect visitors directly to Shaker material culture. The Village’s calendar of events and combination of tours, exhibitions, and hands-on learning provide reliable opportunities for visitors to explore early American religious life and Shaker craftsmanship. Public programs often include live music, community readings, vintage car exhibitions, curator talks, and light refreshments during exhibition openings to deepen visitor engagement with Shaker history and authentic material culture.

Base locationCanterbury, New Hampshire

Tours offered42+

Specialtyothers

StewardshipLeave No Trace